We are interested in studying tissue repair and regeneration with a particular focus on stem cells and the cardiovascular system

Research
Description

My laboratory studies the cellular drivers and signaling mechanisms that regulate tissue repair and regeneration. We use mouse models of myocardial and complex cutaneous tissue injuries to study endogenous regulators of repair as well as exogenous factors, including the role of stem cell-mediated cellular therapies, that regulate repair. My research interests dovetails well with my clinical role as Medical Director of Transfusion Medicine and of the Stem Cell Laboratory. In addition, I am dedicated to training future biomedical scientists and medical residents. Our long term goal is to identify signaling pathways which can be targeted to improve tissue repair.

Project 1

Role of Wnt signaling in repair vs. regeneration. Using both genetic models and novel small molecule Wnt pathway modulators, we have identified a pro-regenerative role in both cardiac and complex cutaneous wounds for the canonical Wnt pathway. Our current efforts are to dissect the cellular drivers of regeneration and to identify Wnt targets which mediate the pro-reparative phenotype.

Project 2

How do stem cells mediate repair and can we develop new bioengineered platforms to improve stem cell-based therapeutics? We have partnered with Vanderbilt Bioengeers to develop stem cell-based treatments for ischemic vascular diseases which seek to understand and optimize both stem cell and scaffold properties which result in improved blood flow restoration.

Project 3

We have developed a mouse model which demonstrates that deletion of a vascular smooth muscle cell protein, SPRR3, results in progression of atherosclerosis and ultimately to its most serious consequence, plaque rupture. Current projects are focused on identifying the molecular partners of SPRR3 and testing it as a novel therapeutic using a novel transgenic mouse as well as state-of-art peptide replacement approaches.

Project 4

As a Transfusion Medicine physician, I am involved in multiple clinical/translational projects involving blood and blood products in clinical medicine.

Clinical
Research Description

The Vanderbilt University Blood Bank is undergoing automation as well as a major software installment. We continually strive to implement the best Transfusion Practices.